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SBIR/STTR Application Support

SBIR/STTR Application Support

LaunchTN assists Tennessee startups and entrepreneurs in preparing applications to the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs, which annually provide more than $4 billion in non-dilutive funding through the participating federal agencies towards early-stage technology development.

SBIR/STTR programs help companies translate research into commercial products. SBIR/STTR does not fund market research, general development, regulatory endeavors, or scaling, and requires high risk research. Funded in part through the Small Business Administration’s Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program, LaunchTN is able to offer a range of resources to help you navigate the SBIR/STTR programs.

LaunchTN has a strong track record of helping Tennessee companies secure federal SBIR/STTR awards. Specifically, 40% of the Tennessee companies that have received microgrants from LaunchTN have gone on to receive a federal SBIR/STTR award, which is a significantly higher success rate than the national average of 15%.

LaunchTN assists Tennessee startups and entrepreneurs in preparing applications to the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs, which annually provide more than $4 billion in non-dilutive funding through the participating federal agencies towards early-stage technology development.

LaunchTN has a strong track record of helping Tennessee companies secure federal SBIR/STTR awards. Specifically, 40% of the Tennessee companies that have received microgrants from LaunchTN have gone on to receive a federal SBIR/STTR award, which is a significantly higher success rate than the national average of 15%.

SBIR/STTR programs help companies translate research into commercial products. SBIR/STTR does not fund market research, general development, regulatory endeavors, or scaling, and requires high risk research. Funded in part through the Small Business Administration’s Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program, LaunchTN is able to offer a range of resources to help you navigate the SBIR/STTR programs.

Our SBIR/STTR Support

LaunchTN provides Tennessee startups and founders with the resources needed to submit winning SBIR/STTR proposals. We support founders in preparing their applications by providing up to $2,500 in microgrant funding to work with an SBIR/STTR consultant, who can assist and provide technical expertise throughout the proposal development process.

Step-by-Step Guide

Here's how to get started on your path to LaunchTN's SBIR/STTR support.

Attend a monthly SBIR/STTR workshop to learn more about the programs and determine if your company and technology are a good fit. You can find our workshops on the LaunchTN event calendar or attend events hosted by other SBA FAST organizations.

Identify a federal agency and a specific solicitation that is a good fit for your technology. We ask that you then outline your proposal, ideally in the quad chart format.

Once you have attended an SBIR/STTR webinar and outlined your proposal, you may submit your application for LaunchTN support through the link below.

Submit Here

LaunchTN will review your application based on an executive summary, your team, grant experience, product innovation, capital plan, and SBIR preparation. Following this review, LaunchTN will determine the best path forward for your application:

  • Microgrant Award: If your application is competitive, you will be awarded a microgrant of up to $2,500 to work with an SBIR/STTR consultant. You may reimburse expenses for up to six months following the date of the award.
  • Further Development: If your application shows promise but needs more work, we will offer up to two hours of office time with an SBIR/STTR expert to help you refine your proposal.
  • Resubmission: If your application is incomplete or not a good fit, we encourage you to improve your submission or explore other support resources.

FAQs

Please read through the following frequently asked questions (FAQs) carefully.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are federal programs that provide non-dilutive funding to small businesses for early-stage research and development. This funding is designed to help companies advance high-risk, high-payoff technologies that could lead to commercial products with significant market potential. SBIR/STTR programs do not fund market research, general development, or scaling. They are intended for research that is technologically risky and innovative. For a more comprehensive overview of the programs, visit SBIR.gov.

You can read the eligibility requirements and additional SBIR/STTR FAQ’s here. While proposals are evaluated differently depending on the agency, the three criteria that are generally evaluated are:

  1. Intellectual Merit: Is the technology new? Is it supported by scientific evidence?
  2. Broader Impact: Would the technology have a positive impact on U.S. citizens if developed?
  3. Commercial Potential: Does the technology have a viable path to market and the potential for significant economic impact?


You can also check if similar technologies have been funded by visiting resources like NIH Reporter, NSF Award Search, or USA Spending.

You can view open topics for the SBIR/STTR programs at sbir.gov/topics or visit the funding portals for specific agencies.

A quad chart is a tool and a familiar format for engaging with program officers and directors across the SBIR/STTR agencies. It allows them to quickly review your proposed project, give feedback, and identify if your technology is a good fit for their program. It provides a simple, visual framework to summarize your proposal and answer the following questions:

  • Who are you? (Company Name, Principal Investigator, Team)
  • What is your innovation? (Explain your technology without jargon)
  • Why is it important? (What is the broader impact?)
  • What makes it different? (What are the risks and why should they invest?)
  • How much will it cost? (A high-level budget and project duration)


You can access a quad chart template to help you with your application preparation here.

Submit Your Application for Support

Once you have attended an SBIR/STTR webinar and outlined your proposal, you may submit your application for LaunchTN support through the link below.

Submit Here

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